Last year roughly 500,000 people attended the festival, said Marci Schramm, executive director of French Quarter Festivals, Inc.

Kelly Schulz, spokeswoman for the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the festival fills New Orleans hotels and generates close to $300 million for the city.

Besides music, the festival offers affordable food from some of the city's finest restaurants, including Antoine's oyster bonne femme _ oysters and crabmeat in a rich sauce with cheese _ as well as Muriel's crawfish and goat cheese crepes and Tujague's beef brisket. Louisiana standards like gumbo, po-boys and jambalaya are also served.

There is no admission, but vendors sell cocktails and food to help subsidize the event. Private and corporate sponsors pay for the musicians.